McQuillan, Dr. William Joseph

1934-2020

Dr. William “Bill” J. McQuillan, age 86, passed away on Sunday, February 9^th after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born January 18, 1934 in Howell, MI to the late Walter and Bertha Elizabeth (Corbin) McQuillan. In his youth he worked on his uncle’s farm and showed championship Shropshire sheep while also graduating valedictorian of Howell High School in 1951. He married his high school sweetheart, Ann Weaver, in 1955 and graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1957. The family briefly lived in Cleveland, OH and Dearborn, MI before settling in Saginaw Township, MI in 1962. Bill was especially proud of his 34 years serving the greater Saginaw community at Riverside Animal Clinic and of receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. He worked in local government for over 35 years – serving as a Saginaw Township Trustee, chairman of the Economic Development Corporation, and three consecutive four-year terms as Township Treasurer until retirement from that position in 2012. A learning wing of the Saginaw Township Library is named in his honor, in recognition of his devoted service to the community. He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish for over 55 years and was also active in the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, Michigan State University Alumni Association, Optimist Club of Saginaw, and the Knights of Columbus. Bill never met a stranger and was an avid golfer, card player, and world traveler. He also enjoyed working on projects in his many garages and inviting family and friends on his power boat at the cottage in Sugar Springs (Gladwin) MI and in Naples, FL during the winter months. He followed the MSU football and basketball teams faithfully and loved cheering the Spartans to victory over USC while attending the 1988 Rose Bowl. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Ann, daughter Margaret Strehl, and brothers-in-law Allan Knight, Paul Hynes, and William Donahoe. He is survived and greatly missed by children, Leslie McQuillan, Sue (Dave) Heraper, Bill (Brenda) McQuillan, Julie Hanson, Mitch (Ashley) McQuillan, Amy (William) Lay, and Jim (Adina) McQuillan; son-in-law, Don Strehl; his sisters, Barbara Knight, Mary Hynes, and Dorothy Donahoe; his dear companion, Marlene Mauch; and brother-in-law, Robert (Jean) Weaver. Also left to cherish his memory are seventeen grandchildren: Ryan McQuillan, Lizzie, Alicia and Ally Heraper, Kristen Strehl, Catherine (Matthew) Addy, Kyle McQuillan, Olivia McHale, Chase and Brody Hanson, Molly, Pat (Samantha), Kevin and Connor McQuillan, and Caleb, Jacob and Abby Lay; and two great-granddaughters, Taylor Addy and Kelsea McQuillan. A Memorial Mass celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 29^th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish, Saginaw, MI with Fr. Rick Bokinskie officiating. Family will receive friends prior from 9:30 am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine or to Pelotonia.org/DrMcQuillan in honor of his care at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-The James. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.dayfuneralservice.com.

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